US4588141A - Handle for a fishing spinning reel - Google Patents

Handle for a fishing spinning reel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4588141A
US4588141A US06/720,043 US72004385A US4588141A US 4588141 A US4588141 A US 4588141A US 72004385 A US72004385 A US 72004385A US 4588141 A US4588141 A US 4588141A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
handle
slider
arm
shaft
projection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/720,043
Inventor
Haruo Uetsuki
Toshiaki Yorikane
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ryobi Ltd
Original Assignee
Ryobi Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ryobi Ltd filed Critical Ryobi Ltd
Assigned to RYOBI LTD. reassignment RYOBI LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: UETSUKI, HARUO, YORIKANE, TOSHIAKI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4588141A publication Critical patent/US4588141A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K89/00Reels
    • A01K89/006Hand crank features
    • A01K89/009Collapsible or extensible
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K89/00Reels
    • A01K89/006Hand crank features
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05GCONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • G05G1/085Crank handles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576Elements
    • Y10T74/20732Handles
    • Y10T74/20744Hand crank
    • Y10T74/20756Collapsible

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a foldable handle for a spinning reel for fishing.
  • a spinning reel for fishing usually has a handle which extends outwardly so that it may not abut against a rotor or spool having a relatively large diameter.
  • the handle is, therefore, foldable for storage or transportation.
  • the handle is, however, secured to a handle shaft by a screw, and this screw is loosened or tightened to fold or unfold the handle. Therefore, the folding or unfolding operation cannot be performed quickly.
  • the screw is likely to get loosened, resulting in the jolting of the handle.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,127 issued to the assignee of the inventor of this invention discloses a spinning reel having a handle arm pivotally mounted on a handle shaft, and a slide button having an inner end connected to a wedge-shaped slide key, the slide button being slidable along the length of the handle arm and urged by a spring into locking engagement with a space between the end of the handle shaft and the handle arm.
  • the handle arm can easily and quickly be raised into its operative position or retracted into its folded position, and can reliably be held in its raised position.
  • the spinning reel disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,127 still has disadvantages.
  • the handle arm lies in parallel to the handle shaft when it is folded. This requires the handle shaft to be sufficiently long to enable the storage of the handle arm. Therefore, the handle shaft has a considerably great length. There is a limitation to the possibility of shortening the handle knob. When the handle arm is folded, the handle shaft and the handle arm connected thereto project laterally from one side of the reel body by a large distance. This distance of projection cannot be shortened in the conventional spinning reel.
  • the handle arm is foldable into a position which is perpendicular to the handle shaft, as will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a handle for a fishing spinning reel embodying this invention, in which the handle is shown in its raised position;
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the handle in its folded position.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 3.
  • a handle for a fishing spinning reel embodying this invention has a handle shaft 1 supported on a reel body not shown, and connected to a master gear not shown, either.
  • the handle shaft 1 has an axial projection 2 having a longitudinal axis disposed eccentrically relative to that of the handle shaft 1.
  • a handle arm 3 is provided at its lower end 3a with a transversely extending channel-shaped groove 4 in which the projection 2 is received.
  • the handle arm 3 is rotatably connected to the projection 2 by a pivot pin 5 so that it may be retracted into its folded position in which it is perpendicular to the handle shaft 1.
  • the lower end or base 3a of the handle arm 3 is provided with a recess 3b which is connected with the groove 4.
  • a slider 6 is received in the recess 3b, and slidable along the handle shaft 1 when the handle arm 3 is raised, and in a direction perpendicular to the handle shaft 1 when the handle arm 3 is retracted.
  • a spring 7 is also provided in the recess 3b to urge the slider 6 into locking engagement with one side 2a of the projection 2.
  • the groove 4 has an opening in which the projection 2 of the handle shaft 1 is received.
  • the handle arm 3 is pivotally connected to the projection 2 so that when the handle arm 3 in the shape of a half crank is raised, its base 3a may be coaxial with the handle shaft 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the recess 3b has an opening 3b' through which it is connected with the bottom of the groove 4.
  • the compression spring 7 is disposed between the rear wall of the recess 3b and the rear end of the slider 6. When the handle arm 3 is raised, the spring 7 pushes out the front end 6a of the slider 6 through the opening 3b' so that the front end 6a may engage one side 2a of the projection 2 to hold the handle arm 3 in its raised position, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the front end 6a of the slider 6 When the handle arm 3 is folded, the front end 6a of the slider 6 is disengaged from the projection 2, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the side 2a of the projection 2 and the front end 6a of the slider 6 have each a beveled surface so that they may be able to engage each other resiliently without jolting.
  • the front end of the slider 6 is provided with a channel-shaped concavity 6b in which a sidewall 3c corresponding to the bottom wall of the groove 4 in the handle arm 3 is received slidably.
  • the sidewall 3c prevents any lateral movement of the slider 6, and thereby ensures the engagement of its front end 6a with the side 2a of the projection 2.
  • the slider 6 In order to lay the handle arm 3, the slider 6 is retracted against the action of the spring 7, and when the handle arm 3 has been laid into its folded position, the force applied to the slider 6 is removed, whereupon the slider 6 is pushed forward by the spring 7, and its front end 6a is held in disengagement from the projection 2.
  • the front end 6a of the slider 6 When the handle arm 3 is raised, the front end 6a of the slider 6 is engaged with the upper end 2b of the projection 2, and the slider 6 retracts against the action of the spring 7.
  • the front end 6a of the slider 6 leaves the upper end 2b of the projection 2, and moves forward into engagement with the side 2a of the projection 2 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the front end 6a of the slider 6 is held in engagement with the upper end 2b of the projection 2 when the handle arm 3 is in its folded position, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • a handle knob is shown at 8.
  • the handle arm can easily and quickly be retracted into its folded position only if the slider is moved against the action of the spring by the very hand holding the handle arm.
  • the handle assembly can be brought into its operative position only if the handle arm is raised, whereupon the slider moves automatically into locking engagement with the projection. There is no jolting between the handle arm and the handle shaft, but the handle assembly is reliably held in its operative position.
  • the handle assembly of this invention is not only convenient for the takeup of the fishing line, and the storage and transportation of the reel, but also the handle bar can, when not in use, be kept in a position perpendicular to the handle shaft, i.e., in parallel to the reel body. Accordingly, the handle shaft does not substantially project laterally from the reel body, but the reel as a whole is very compact in construction.
  • the shortened handle shaft contributes to a reduction in weight of the handle assembly.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)

Abstract

A handle assembly for a spinning reel for fishing includes a handle shaft connected to a reel body and having an end projection, and a handle arm connected to the handle shaft. The handle arm is provided with a channel-shaped groove in which the projection of the handle shaft is received. The arm is pivotally connected to the shaft projection, and rotatable between a first position in which it is coaxial with the shaft and a second position in which it is perpendicular to the shaft. The arm is also provided with a recess contiguous to the groove. A slider is slidable in the recess. A spring is disposed in the recess for urging the slider into locking engagement with one side of the shaft projection when the arm is in its first position.

Description

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 473,916 filed on Mar. 10, 1983 now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a foldable handle for a spinning reel for fishing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A spinning reel for fishing usually has a handle which extends outwardly so that it may not abut against a rotor or spool having a relatively large diameter. The handle is, therefore, foldable for storage or transportation. The handle is, however, secured to a handle shaft by a screw, and this screw is loosened or tightened to fold or unfold the handle. Therefore, the folding or unfolding operation cannot be performed quickly. Moreover, when the fishing line is taken up, the screw is likely to get loosened, resulting in the jolting of the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,127 issued to the assignee of the inventor of this invention discloses a spinning reel having a handle arm pivotally mounted on a handle shaft, and a slide button having an inner end connected to a wedge-shaped slide key, the slide button being slidable along the length of the handle arm and urged by a spring into locking engagement with a space between the end of the handle shaft and the handle arm. According to this arrangement, the handle arm can easily and quickly be raised into its operative position or retracted into its folded position, and can reliably be held in its raised position.
The spinning reel disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,127, however, still has disadvantages. The handle arm lies in parallel to the handle shaft when it is folded. This requires the handle shaft to be sufficiently long to enable the storage of the handle arm. Therefore, the handle shaft has a considerably great length. There is a limitation to the possibility of shortening the handle knob. When the handle arm is folded, the handle shaft and the handle arm connected thereto project laterally from one side of the reel body by a large distance. This distance of projection cannot be shortened in the conventional spinning reel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a handle for a fishing spinning reel which can easily and quickly be raised or retracted, and can reliably be held in its raised position, and which has a shortened handle shaft which contributes to a reduction in the weight of the handle and the compact construction of the reel as a whole when it is not in use.
According to this invention, the handle arm is foldable into a position which is perpendicular to the handle shaft, as will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a handle for a fishing spinning reel embodying this invention, in which the handle is shown in its raised position;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the handle in its folded position; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A handle for a fishing spinning reel embodying this invention has a handle shaft 1 supported on a reel body not shown, and connected to a master gear not shown, either. The handle shaft 1 has an axial projection 2 having a longitudinal axis disposed eccentrically relative to that of the handle shaft 1. A handle arm 3 is provided at its lower end 3a with a transversely extending channel-shaped groove 4 in which the projection 2 is received. The handle arm 3 is rotatably connected to the projection 2 by a pivot pin 5 so that it may be retracted into its folded position in which it is perpendicular to the handle shaft 1.
The lower end or base 3a of the handle arm 3 is provided with a recess 3b which is connected with the groove 4. A slider 6 is received in the recess 3b, and slidable along the handle shaft 1 when the handle arm 3 is raised, and in a direction perpendicular to the handle shaft 1 when the handle arm 3 is retracted. A spring 7 is also provided in the recess 3b to urge the slider 6 into locking engagement with one side 2a of the projection 2.
The groove 4 has an opening in which the projection 2 of the handle shaft 1 is received. The handle arm 3 is pivotally connected to the projection 2 so that when the handle arm 3 in the shape of a half crank is raised, its base 3a may be coaxial with the handle shaft 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The recess 3b has an opening 3b' through which it is connected with the bottom of the groove 4. The compression spring 7 is disposed between the rear wall of the recess 3b and the rear end of the slider 6. When the handle arm 3 is raised, the spring 7 pushes out the front end 6a of the slider 6 through the opening 3b' so that the front end 6a may engage one side 2a of the projection 2 to hold the handle arm 3 in its raised position, as shown in FIG. 1. When the handle arm 3 is folded, the front end 6a of the slider 6 is disengaged from the projection 2, as shown in FIG. 3. The side 2a of the projection 2 and the front end 6a of the slider 6 have each a beveled surface so that they may be able to engage each other resiliently without jolting.
The front end of the slider 6 is provided with a channel-shaped concavity 6b in which a sidewall 3c corresponding to the bottom wall of the groove 4 in the handle arm 3 is received slidably. The sidewall 3c prevents any lateral movement of the slider 6, and thereby ensures the engagement of its front end 6a with the side 2a of the projection 2.
In order to lay the handle arm 3, the slider 6 is retracted against the action of the spring 7, and when the handle arm 3 has been laid into its folded position, the force applied to the slider 6 is removed, whereupon the slider 6 is pushed forward by the spring 7, and its front end 6a is held in disengagement from the projection 2. When the handle arm 3 is raised, the front end 6a of the slider 6 is engaged with the upper end 2b of the projection 2, and the slider 6 retracts against the action of the spring 7. When the handle arm 3 has been brought to its fully raised position, the front end 6a of the slider 6 leaves the upper end 2b of the projection 2, and moves forward into engagement with the side 2a of the projection 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The front end 6a of the slider 6 is held in engagement with the upper end 2b of the projection 2 when the handle arm 3 is in its folded position, as shown in FIG. 3.
When the handle bar 3 is in its raised position, the spring 7 holds the slider 6 in engagement with the projection 2. The handle arm 3 is, therefore, reliably held in its raised position without any jolting when the spinning reel is in use. A handle knob is shown at 8.
According to the handle assembly of this invention as hereinabove described, the handle arm can easily and quickly be retracted into its folded position only if the slider is moved against the action of the spring by the very hand holding the handle arm. The handle assembly can be brought into its operative position only if the handle arm is raised, whereupon the slider moves automatically into locking engagement with the projection. There is no jolting between the handle arm and the handle shaft, but the handle assembly is reliably held in its operative position.
The handle assembly of this invention is not only convenient for the takeup of the fishing line, and the storage and transportation of the reel, but also the handle bar can, when not in use, be kept in a position perpendicular to the handle shaft, i.e., in parallel to the reel body. Accordingly, the handle shaft does not substantially project laterally from the reel body, but the reel as a whole is very compact in construction. The shortened handle shaft contributes to a reduction in weight of the handle assembly.

Claims (2)

What is claimed is:
1. A handle for a spinning reel for fishing including a handle shaft, and a handle arm connected to said handle shaft, comprising: said handle shaft having a substantially rectangular shaped end projection, said end projection having a first surface extending substantially in parallel with axial direction of said handle shaft, and a second surface extending substantially perpendicular thereto; said handle arm provided with a channel-shaped groove in which said end projection is received, means for pivotally connecting said handle arm to said end projection, and rotatable between a first position in which it is coaxial with said handle shaft and a second position in which it is perpendicular to said handle shaft, said handle arm being also provided with a recess contiguous to said groove; a slider in said recess, said slider having a beveled front end surface engageable with one of said first surface and said second surface of said end projection; and a spring disposed in said recess for urging said slider into locking engagement with one of said first and second surfaces when said handle arm is in said one of first and second positions, said first position being maintained by surface contact between said beveled front end surface of said slider and said first surface of said end projection, while said second position being maintained by surface contact between said beveled front end surface and said second surface of said end projection, and positional switching being made by manually urging said slider against biasing force of said spring.
2. A handle assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said handle arm has a wall engaged with said slider to prevent any lateral movement of said slider away from said handle arm and said handle shaft.
US06/720,043 1982-03-15 1985-04-03 Handle for a fishing spinning reel Expired - Fee Related US4588141A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1982036622U JPS608691Y2 (en) 1982-03-15 1982-03-15 fishing reel handle
JP57-36622[U] 1982-03-15

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06473916 Continuation 1983-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4588141A true US4588141A (en) 1986-05-13

Family

ID=12474904

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/720,043 Expired - Fee Related US4588141A (en) 1982-03-15 1985-04-03 Handle for a fishing spinning reel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US4588141A (en)
JP (1) JPS608691Y2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4811623A (en) * 1987-08-17 1989-03-14 Emerson Electric Co. Power tool handwheel/crank
US4858845A (en) * 1987-10-09 1989-08-22 Daiwa Seiko Inc. Apparatus for folding fishing reel handle
US5443570A (en) * 1991-03-20 1995-08-22 Daiwa Seiko, Inc. Handle folding device for fishing reel
US5551316A (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-09-03 Blank; Jay L. Retractable window crank
US5765771A (en) * 1994-07-13 1998-06-16 Daiwa Seiko, Inc. Positive securement for a fishing reel handle folding device
US20070023555A1 (en) * 2005-08-01 2007-02-01 Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. Crank handle for spinning reel

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3948117A (en) * 1973-11-07 1976-04-06 Shimano Industrial Company, Limited Operating handle of a fishing reel
US4253618A (en) * 1978-10-23 1981-03-03 Mitchell S.A. Fishing reel
US4310127A (en) * 1977-02-07 1982-01-12 Ryobi Limited Fishing spinning reel
US4437621A (en) * 1981-01-27 1984-03-20 Daiwa Seiko Inc. Handle folding device for fishing reel

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3948117A (en) * 1973-11-07 1976-04-06 Shimano Industrial Company, Limited Operating handle of a fishing reel
US4310127A (en) * 1977-02-07 1982-01-12 Ryobi Limited Fishing spinning reel
US4253618A (en) * 1978-10-23 1981-03-03 Mitchell S.A. Fishing reel
US4437621A (en) * 1981-01-27 1984-03-20 Daiwa Seiko Inc. Handle folding device for fishing reel

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4811623A (en) * 1987-08-17 1989-03-14 Emerson Electric Co. Power tool handwheel/crank
US4858845A (en) * 1987-10-09 1989-08-22 Daiwa Seiko Inc. Apparatus for folding fishing reel handle
US5443570A (en) * 1991-03-20 1995-08-22 Daiwa Seiko, Inc. Handle folding device for fishing reel
US5765771A (en) * 1994-07-13 1998-06-16 Daiwa Seiko, Inc. Positive securement for a fishing reel handle folding device
US5551316A (en) * 1995-01-23 1996-09-03 Blank; Jay L. Retractable window crank
US20070023555A1 (en) * 2005-08-01 2007-02-01 Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. Crank handle for spinning reel
US7178752B1 (en) * 2005-08-01 2007-02-20 Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. Crank handle for spinning reel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS58139075U (en) 1983-09-19
JPS608691Y2 (en) 1985-03-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4153996A (en) Coilable rule with combination blade lock and shock absorber mechanism
CA2127342C (en) Pocketknife with blade locking mechanism and push-button type blade release
US6161290A (en) Utility knife
US6206078B1 (en) Ratchet type cam lock for a roller
US6139076A (en) Unlock mechanism for foldable rear seat back
US4588141A (en) Handle for a fishing spinning reel
US4489494A (en) Tape locking device
US4310127A (en) Fishing spinning reel
JP2573165B2 (en) Lock handle device for drawer rotating door
JPH0525915Y2 (en)
CA2029453C (en) Door latch
EP0067263A3 (en) Folding crank handle for a fishing reel
US5765771A (en) Positive securement for a fishing reel handle folding device
CN220199324U (en) Folding mechanism, handle and camp vehicle
JPS5845579Y2 (en) Extension device for swing-out fishing rods
CN214027873U (en) Paper width adjusting assembly and printer with same
BE562077A (en)
US3912301A (en) Fifth wheel plate assembly for trailer hitch
JPH0241084Y2 (en)
JPH0416773Y2 (en)
JPH0124296Y2 (en)
JP3239484B2 (en) Storage case
JP3032123U (en) Mobile phone
JP2573313Y2 (en) Folding structure for fishing reel handle
JP3215779B2 (en) Fishing reel handle folding device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: RYOBI LTD., NO. 762, MESAKI-CHO, FUCHU-XHI, HIROSH

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:UETSUKI, HARUO;YORIKANE, TOSHIAKI;REEL/FRAME:004512/0782

Effective date: 19830303

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19980513

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362